Whenever the Chinese New Year rolls around, Filipinos try to determine what the future has in store for them. Whether it’s fortunate or otherwise, they will always try to find ways to usher luck into their lives. One of the most popular ways is by engaging in the practice of feng shui.
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance. It has roots in early Taoism, but remains popular because of the many opportunities it presents.
In feng shui, masters (the title given to expert practitioners) often research according to the practice to determine fortunes and how to counteract any possible misfortunes that people could encounter. Among the approaches they apply, working with charms and other trinkets to keep bad luck away or amplify positivity remains their most popular.
There are different meanings for each charm, depending on the intention. For instance, those looking to invite prosperity into their space would put Buddha statuettes or similar trinkets. In the meantime, those who want to bring good fortune with them all the time would opt for bracelets with meaningful materials.
Yet there are other more natural alternatives to ushering luck in a space. And with a continuous interest in gardening or cultivating plants, these bring more delight and purpose to the public than just being a lucky charm. After all, each plant (regardless of its “luck”) benefits humans. At the top of that list is how plants naturally purify the air, add a splash of nature to any surroundings, or improve a person’s mood.
Here’s a list of indoor plants that, according to feng shui, attract positivity and prosperity.
Money Tree (Pachira spp.)
Judging by its name, feng shui considers Money Trees as the indoor plant if a family or business doesn’t want to have any financial problems. If placed in the southeastern part of the house, people believe it radiates an immense energy of prosperity.
Coincidentally, the Money Tree isn’t difficult to maintain, allowing its owners to keep themselves from spending significantly for its upkeep. The Money Tree doesn’t need much water, requiring only a little of it once a week to keep the soil semi-wet. However, it may differ depending on their environment, so a rule of thumb is to water when the topsoil feels dry. It enjoys light, but not too much sunlight. Placing the plant in areas with indirect sunlight or artificial fluorescent light also works.
The Money Tree is also non-toxic to humans or animals, making it a safe addition to any space.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
Another indoor plant that invites prosperity and longevity is the Jade plant. It’s frequently used in feng shui to attract money to the home where it grows. Some people also believe that its steady growth increases the wealth and prosperity in the household.
Feng shui denotes that the succulent blesses its owner with long life.
When caring for the Jade plant, its main requirements are ample sunlight and moist soil. It’s also easy to propagate through a stem or leaf cutting from the parent plant.
Besides being a natural feng shui charm or trinket, the Jade plant is also a well-known decorative piece because of its unique appearance.
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Money or wealth isn’t the only factor of good fortune that Filipinos often hope to achieve during the beginning of any new year. Since the Filipino culture often boasts of fortified familial ties and relationships, people also invest in lucky items that hope to improve their connection with others.
One plant considered to bring such results is Lucky Bamboo. According to feng shui, placing the indoor plant in the Kun (relationship) corner of the house will bring harmony to one’s relationship. The southwest corner is the relationship corner or Kun corner, representing the area of love, connections, and marriage.
Yet the bamboo’s luck doesn’t stop there. The well-known plant can also bring prosperity because the number of stalks in a Lucky Bamboo represents various things. Feng shui belief states that six stalks encourage good luck and wealth.
When growing Lucky Bamboo, people should remember that the perennial shrub can grow in water or soil while being kept in bright yet indirect sunlight. Meanwhile, water the Lucky Bamboo with filtered or distilled water because it’s sensitive to chlorine and hard tap water.
Moreover, one can easily share the luck that comes with the plant because it’s easy to propagate Lucky Bamboo using stem cuttings from a mother plant.
Orchids
Although most lucky plants are often low maintenance to symbolize wealth and prosperity, other species are more challenging to care for, but also have several relevant benefits, as per feng shui. One example is eye-catching orchids. Despite its beautiful and colorful blooms, most gardeners consider it more suitable for more experienced individuals.
In feng shui, orchids are among the most beautiful and lucky indoor plants because of their significant blooms and vibrant flowers. It represents beauty, love, unity, and fertility, among other aspects of life. As a result, orchids became a favorite during Chinese New Year because it brings luck, vitality, and longevity.
The plant also has benefits when it comes to relationships because it enhances luck and promotes harmony.
Even though orchids are well-loved as a lucky plant, it requires more responsibility from their owner to flourish. The plant needs a lot of bright, indirect light and frequent watering. However, overwatering can also lead to root rot, so it’s best to keep the soil moist to keep the plant from experiencing extremes in watering.
Orchids also require fertilizer now and then to secure their growth. When they stop blooming, repotting them is the best solution.
Growing plants in any space often bring owners significant joy because of their benefits. Having these lucky plants in the ideal places in specific locations, according to feng shui, are like hitting two birds with one stone. Aside from the natural advantages, they also have a chance to usher in good fortune this 2023.
Happy Chinese New Year!